Name/Title
The ShamrocksEntry/Object ID
2015.08.01.09a-bDescription
One in a series of 10 fabric collage tapestries depicting the London Shamrocks, a popular all-woman basketball (and baseball) team who won the Eastern Canadian championship in 1945. They were volunteers who worked other jobs in order to support themselves as players. This particular one represents Irene Wadderburn.
From an article in the collections file, written by the artist:
In 1942, Bill Farquharson, the director of the London Recreation Department, organized the Girls Major Softball League in London, Ontario. The sports writers wrote extensively about the new girls league thus providing them with widespread publicity. Much of this writing covered the girl's appearance but it did make them stars of their time. The Shamrocks were formed in 1944 out of several girls' teams. Their first uniforms were green satin with below-the-knee pants and long socks, much like the men's baseball uniforms. They were later changed to green wool, which the women said was hot and itchy. They were finally changed to green silk tops and shorts.
The Shamrocks played softball and basketball. They often attracted over 2,000 fans per game. The team members did not get paid; the money they raised went to charities such as the Milk for Britain fund. In 1945, they beat Montreal 64-36 in basketball for Eastern Canada title. They often traveled to play U.S. teams and two of the players, Irene Wedderburn and Marion Clarke, were asked to join the Rochester, New York Filarets, owned by Kodak, but they did not want to leave Canada.
The Shamrocks were pop stars of their time. They received fan mail, had a sizeable following and a great deal of media attention. It all came to and end when the war was over and the men's teams were reorganized. Since the Canadian government was doing all that it could to encourage women to return to their traditional roles in the home, the team disbanded in 1946.
These young women, like their sisters in industry, filled a role left vacant by the men overseas. When they were no longer needed, they were asked to go home quietly and forget the attention and acclaim to which they had become accustomed.
Johnnene Maddison made these pieces in glittering gold to reflect their star status. The players rise in the air over a background of clouds forming a V for victory.Collection
Art CollectionCataloged By
Fournier, SarahMade/Created
Date made
2003 - 2004Notes
Technique: CollageLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
CollageNomenclature Class
ArtNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsLOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials
Basketball, Basketball players, Baseball, Baseball players, Women, Sports, Sports teams, ArtMaterial
Fabric, Beads, Wood, PaintLocation
Location
Container
Box 2Shelf
Shelf 15Room
Collections RoomBuilding
M.V.T.M.Category
PermanentMoved By
Moira Friske, Michelle RussettDate
July 9, 2024Location
Room
Counting HouseBuilding
M.V.T.M.Category
PermanentDate
November 7, 2023Valuations
Valuation Type
AppraisalDate
Mar 7, 2017Notes
Min. Value: 0Valuation Type
Aquisition ValueValue
CA$880.00Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Maddison, JohnnenePerson or Organization
Wadderburn, IreneRelated Entries
Notes
2015.08.01.01a-b, 2015.08.01.02a-b, 2015.08.01.03a-b, 2015.08.01.04a-b, 2015.08.01.05a-b, 2015.08.01.06a-b, 2015.08.01.07a-b, 2015.08.01.08a-b, 2015.08.01.10a-bRelated Publications
Notes
Explanation by artists - located in Collections FileGeneral Notes
Note
Status: OK
Status By: Fournier, Sarah
Status Date: 2017-03-07Created By
admin@catalogit.appCreate Date
March 7, 2017Updated By
r.milton@mvtm.caUpdate Date
July 9, 2024
